O noble one, listen to the wondrous account of the goddess, as revealed in the sacred assembly. Her arms, resplendent and adorned with celestial ornaments, curved gracefully like the coils of a serpent. Her breasts were lovely and round, with even nipples, a sight of divine beauty. Her waist, marked by three delicate folds, shone with radiance, and her hips were the pride of her form. In the midst of her graceful body, her deep navel delighted the eye. The goddess’s broad hips and beautifully shaped thighs added to her splendor, her knees and feet well-formed and pleasing. Her face was luminous and lovely, shining with gentle majesty. She is the sustainer of the three worlds, and upon the earth, all her requests are fulfilled. O most fortunate and radiant one, she is the bestower of all boons. Whoever journeys in pilgrimage to Pushkara and beholds her there is truly blessed, and in the sacred month of Jyeshtha, on the full moon, she receives the highest worship. Those who recognize her glory and worship her will find no task beyond their reach, whether it be the gain of sons or wealth. For those lost in wilderness or vast forests, adrift in the great ocean, or threatened by robbers, she is the supreme refuge, the shelter of all. She is accomplishment and fortune, steadfastness and fame, modesty, knowledge, humility, and wisdom. She is the twilight and the night, radiance and sleep, and the night of dissolution. She is Ambā and Kamalā, the universal mother; Brahmāṇī, the celibate; Gāyatrī, the supreme woman and mother of all the gods. She is victory and triumph, nourishment, patience, and compassion; always the younger sister of Sāvitrī, she is the very activity of the grandsire. Of many forms and the universal form, she is wide-eyed, beautiful, and ever-protective of her devotees, celibate and noble-faced. Her dwelling is found in cities and holy places, in hermitages, forests, and groves. In all the seats of Brahma, she sits to his left, with Sāvitrī to his right, and Brahma, the grandsire, in the center. Within every sacrifice, she is the altar and the fee for priests; she is the accomplishment of kings, and the very boundary of the ocean is hers. The initiation of the celibate and the highest splendor are hers; she is the radiance of the stars, Lakṣmī abiding in Nārāyaṇa. She is patience and accomplishment for sages, and Rohiṇī among the stars; she is present at royal gates, holy places, and the confluences of rivers. She is the full moon on the night of the full moon, wisdom in policy, patience, and steadfastness. Among women, she is known as Umādevī, of excellent complexion. She is the beautiful vision of Indra, companion to his thousand eyes; she is the righteous mind of sages and the supreme goal of the gods. Among farmers, she is Sītā; among beings, she is the earth itself. She always grants freedom from widowhood to women and bestows wealth and grain. When worshipped, she dispels disease, death, and fear. In the month of Kārtika, on the full moon, she is especially honored. She is the goddess who grants all desires and bestows auspiciousness. Whoever recites or hears this hymn repeatedly will attain success in all aims—of this, there is no doubt. Gāyatrī herself affirmed, “So shall it be, just as you have spoken, my son.” Bhīṣma then spoke: “O Brahman, I have heard this most wondrous account in truth—the consecration of Gāyatrī performed here, the opposition by Sāvitrī, the granting of curses, and how the goddess was praised by Viṣṇu everywhere. The radiant Gāyatrī was praised by Rudra, and, upon hearing this, the Supreme Soul recounted it in detail to Brahma. My hair stood on end with joy, my mind became peaceful, and I felt supreme delight and great curiosity. “The blessed Nārāyaṇa, having composed that supreme hymn with devotion for the wife of Brahma, placed it upon the mountain. Then Viṣṇu spoke words of satisfaction and nourishment to the illustrious, modest, and sovereign goddess. “O Brahma, I have heard this from your lips—what happened afterward at that place? O Blessed One, please recount all of that in order; by hearing it, my body will be purified—there is no doubt.” Pulastya then spoke: “While that supreme god was performing sacrifice at Pushkara, O king, listen to this marvelous account of what happened before. At the beginning, in the Krita Yuga, when the Grandfather Brahma was the sacrificer, Marichi, Angiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, and Kratu, along with Daksha, lord of creatures—all adorned with every ornament—offered their salutations, shining brightly. “The hosts of Apsaras danced before Viṣṇu, lord of gods, and, accompanied by the music of Gandharvas, they delighted in the sky. Many Gandharvas, including Tumburu, Mahāśruti, Citrarathasena, Urnayu, and Anagha, sang together. Gomayu, Suryavarchas, Somavarchas, Trinayu, Nandi, and Citraratha joined as well. Shalishira was the thirteenth, Parjanya the fourteenth, Kali the fifteenth, and Taraka the sixteenth among them. Hāhā and Hūhū the Gandharvas, and Hamsa of great brilliance, sang to the Lord. “Likewise, the celestial Apsaras danced before the Lord. Dhata, Aryaman, Savita, Varuna, Ansha, and Bhaga were present, as were Indra, Vivasvan, Pushan, Tvashtri, and Parjanya—these twelve Adityas, blazing with radiant energy, all took part in the divine celebration.